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Park board reviews new five-year plan |
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Thursday, November 29 2007 |
By KELLEY SHEISS
for The Post & Mail
Members of the Columbia City Park Board received a draft of the park board’s five-year plan Monday night. The plan was developed by board member Mike Malcolm.
The draft will be available for public review at the Mayor’s office, park office and The Post and Mail.
The action plan includes addressing accessibility issues at the park’s playground facilities and extension of the Blue River Trail. Mayor Jim Fleck was in attendance and indicated he has been contacted by the Eel River Trail group requesting the city’s support in the development of a trailhead at the location of the old substation on Chauncey Street. The land is currently owned by the city. Fleck questioned who would build and maintain the proposed restroom facilities at the trailhead.
“I would rather not obligate the park to building restroom facilities,” said Malcolm.
Warnick mentioned that maybe the park could help maintain it at some point, but the board’s current interest is in trail expansion. He said that the board has not been specifically asked to support the trailhead effort and that the proposed Chauncey Street location may not be the best place for a trailhead. Board members indicated interest but did not want to obligate to anything until they see a plan.
Green provided an update on the splash pad efforts, informing board members that he has met with Dekko and applied for a $150,000 grant. Mayor Fleck brought a question from the Board of Works regarding plans for water disposal and filtration. The current plans are to run the water into the river with IDEM approval. Fleck encouraged awareness of potential water costs to the city. Green has looked to other communities for costs and will also talk with Vortex, the planning company, to discuss costs and other uses for the water. Green is currently anticipating $5,000 per month in water costs. Guest Bob Cornmesser suggested finding another use for the water such as watering the ballfields. The mayor also offered the option of drilling a well, but this would require special legislation from the city.
In other park business, Green noted that the planning grant for the community center has been submitted and details of the proposal are available for review at the mayor’s office. The father/daughter dance is slated for Feb. 1 and registrations can be made by calling the park office.
Opening weekend for the Wonderland of Lights offered rain both evenings; however Green noted that this was the best year for putting up the lights by park staff. It takes four park employees one month to set up the displays. Green was asked to check on electric costs and personnel costs for the event as there is no offset to the park for such costs. In response to discussion of labor and utility costs for the event, the mayor noted he was glad the subject was brought up.
“It’s important to know what the park does for the community. This is one of those services we provide,” said Fleck.
Green asked board members to review baseball and softball responsibilities for the department. With the growth of travel teams, Green requested input on whether the park should offer travel teams or only teams for the community. Warnick indicated that travel teams are open to a select group and not the entire community. The parks department did offer a travel team last year, but there was not a huge response.
“We should offer baseball to as many as possible,” said Mike Malcolm. The board opted not to be responsible for offering a travel team and instead conduct a program open to everyone.
As a close to the meeting, Mayor Fleck thanked park board members for serving, saying the park board has done a lot to improve the delivery of services and facilities. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, November 30 2007 )
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